The annual awards honor faculty members at the nine academic and six health University of Texas System institutions who have demonstrated extraordinary classroom performance and innovation in undergraduate instruction.

An expert in international relations, particularly international political economy and organizations, Peinhardt teaches those subjects at UT Dallas’ School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. His research investigates the intersection of international politics, economics and law. His recent papers analyze the international treaties governing foreign investment, as well as financial liberalization, such as the opening of stock markets to foreign investors.

“I’m fortunate to teach a subject that a lot of students are inherently interested in learning about,” Peinhardt said. “But it’s such a complex topic that the bigger challenge is trying to pick pieces of it that we can coherently examine together.”

Peinhardt said he likes to use world events as a living laboratory in which to examine political environments. “It connects what we’re learning to practical applications,” he said.

Nada Alasmi, a UTD student who hadn’t yet decided on a major, made up her mind after taking a class with Peinhardt.

“When I started at UT Dallas, I was undeclared for my first year and decided to take a few classes in different majors that seemed interesting,” Alasmi said. “One of the classes was Global Politics, taught by Dr. Clint Peinhardt. I loved learning about the world, and I enjoyed Dr. Peinhardt’s teaching method.”

Her experience in the class led her to form the International Political Economy Student Association, for which Peinhardt also serves as an adviser, along with Dr. Jennifer Holmes – a 2011 Regents’ Teaching Award winner.

Peinhardt and the other winners of the Regents’ Teaching Award were honored at an Aug. 22 ceremony in Austin.

The awards program – established by the Board of Regents in 2008 – has recognized 217 educators spanning more than 100 disciplines. The awards are the latest in a series of UT System-sponsored activities aimed at fostering innovative approaches to teaching, research and commercialization endeavors at all 15 UT System institutions.

“I’m fortunate to teach a subject that a lot of students are inherently interested in learning about. But it’s such a complex topic that the bigger challenge is trying to pick pieces of it that we can coherently examine together.”